It’s time to spice up your summer grilling with the latest Guest Geek post that guides you through several delicious ways to pack some flavor into your next BBQ session with herbs and spices.

Flavoring any meat is an essential part of preparing decadent meals, even though some cuts of beef can be perfectly mouthwatering if prepared with no more than a bit of salt and a pinch of black pepper. And because there are so many delicious BBQ rub recipes and other herb and spice recipes out there, knowing where to start can be a bit tricky, especially if you don’t consider yourself an expert in the kitchen. So, to simplify your selection of beef herbs and spices, we have created this ultimate guide that will help you understand the essential basics of the perfect herb and spice selections for beef cuts. 

Using Fresh Herbs

Suppose you are creating an exquisite simple steak dish. In this case, the technique of salting steak is done during the preparation. However, you can top off your meat with extra flavors from fresh herbs. With that said, your perfectly salted steak shouldn’t be doused in simply any fresh herbs, as certain flavors go best with beef. You can sprinkle chives, coriander, basil, or parsley. Be sure to chop the fresh herbs finely and sprinkle a dash on top of each cut of salted steak. You don’t want to add a measuring of fresh herbs that is too generous as the herbs should mildly bring out the existing flavor of the salted steak. You can also use fresh herbs for beef burgers and any cut of grilled beef. 

Potent Dried Herbs

Dried herbs are substantially more flavorful than fresh herbs, although they don’t offer the culinary charm of topping off a cut of beef quite the same. Regardless, dried herbs go best with beef stews, braised cuts of beef, and casserole dishes. The best selection of dried herbs to choose from includes rosemary, oregano, tarragon, thyme, and bay leaves. Bay leaves, in particular, are excellent for beef stews and casseroles. It is best to add dried herbs to beef cuts during the cooking process. 

Spicing Beef

It is best to add spices directly to beef cuts before your start cooking. Alternatively, you can add them to the pot or pan with oil before adding your meat cuts. A great technique is to use spices to create a meat rub for various dishes. However, the specific spices that compliment beef cuts include cumin, mustard powder, curry powder, dark chilis, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper. Spices generally hold potent flavor, so be sure to use a suitable amount not to overpower the meat’s flavor.

There are countless methods of using herbs and spices for various cuts of beef. However, the most crucial factor is to know which herbs and spices go best with beef and which are best for specific dishes. Once you have an expert grasp of the flavor pairings, you can get creative when trying out the numerous different flavoring methods. Cooking is widely considered an art, so you should also get creative and try mixing and merging different flavors as well.